Transportation container



C. H. WILLIAMSON TRANSPORTATION CONTAINER Filed March 51, 1932 3Sheets-Sheet 1 May 15,. 1934.

May 15, 1934. c. H. WILLIAMSON 1,958,775

TRANSPORTATION CONTAINER Filed March 31, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 15,1934- c. H. WILLIAMSON 1,958,775

TRANSPORTATION CONTAINER Filed March 51, 1932 s sheets-sheet 3 EFI-1"?v7 f" fi i/ff l El( V45 Patented 1May 15, v1934 i y 1,958,115 UNITEDSTATES PATENT o1-:FICE

raANsroRTA'rroN CONTAINER.

Application March s1, 1932.` 602,146' `2o claims. (ci. ias-isi` Thisinvention relates to improvements in transportation containers and loreparticularly doors therefor.

One object of the invention is to lprovide a door arrangement fortransportation containers of the railway type wherein "the constructionconsists of the minimum number of parts relatively inexpensive tomanufacture and assemble. Another object of the invention is to providea door construction particularly adapted for transportation containerswherein all the fixtures for hingedly mounting the doors, latching thesame, and to provide shrouds4 for certain parts of the lockingmechanism, are consolidated into two preferably cast units. f

Still another object of the invention is to provide a door constructionof the type indicated in the preceding paragraph wherein provision ismade for Ventilating the interior o er to eliminate sweating.

A further object of the invention is to provide *g1 a transportationcontainer having doors lwithsealing means in the door joints whereinprovision is made for Ventilating the interior of'the container throughthe doors without danger of admission of rain or other foreign matter tothe interior of the container.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a container and doorconstruction in vac- 39 cordance with all of the preceding objects ofinvention wherein the arrangements may be incorporated in either a. twodoor arrangement or a double door ofthe folding leaf type arrangement.

Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from thedescription and claims here-A inafter following considered in connectionwith 'the drawings and forming a part hereof. In said drawings, Figure 1is an end elevational 4.0- view of a railway type of container showingtheimprovements incorporated therein, parts being broken away in Aorderto better accommodate the view on the sheet. Figure 2 is a parthorizontal. sectional view, part top plan view of the top edges of thevdoors when'in closed position, parts being broken away at one end toaccommodate the view on the sheet.. Figure 3 is 'a horizontal sectionalview, corresponding to the linel 3-3of A Figure 1. Figure 4 is anenlarged detailed horizontal sectional view, corresponding to the line4-4of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a view similar tov Figure 4, correspondingto the line 5--5 of Figure 1. Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical sectionalview, corresponding substantially to the linel 6 6 of Figure 1, partsbeing broken away in order to accommodate the view von the sheet.

Figure 7 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional view, correspondingto the section line 7-7 ofFigure 1. And Figure 8 is' an end elevationalview of one end of a door.

of the containy In said drawings, a portion of the end sheathing of thecontainer is indicated at 10.; the roof sheet at 11, the side posts ofthe door opening at 12-12, the sill at 13 and the lintel at 14, thelatter havingan upstanding outerflange 15,` horizontal web 16 and innerdepending flange 17. Over the door opening and secured to the roof sheetis extended a combined drip and weatherprotecting plate 1'8 sloped alongits top edge, as4

clearly shown in Figure 1, downwardly to each side from the center. Thelintel '14 is preferably braced .by a reinforcing plate 19 secured,

along its lower edge to the-depending flange 17 and along its upper edgeto theroof sheet, as

indicated in Figure 6. On the upper flange of thesill 13 is secured anangular threshold plate 20 and a portion of the plank flooring isindicated at 21, there preferably being a floor sheetl 22 beneath theplanks, as indicated.

In the particular arrangement chosen for illustration, the door openingof the container is closed by two pivoted doors, each comprising twopivotally connected leaves, the leaves being designated broadly as A-Afor the two outermost leaves and .B and C for the two inner leaves, itbeing understood that the two outer leaves A-A are of like constructionoppositely arranged, whereas the two leaves B and C differ somewhat indetailed construction at their meeting edges, as hereinafter pointedout.

In carrying out the invention, each door or 'door leaf, as the case maybe, is comprised of five 4leaves is believed to be sufficient except asadditional description may be required for certain detailed differenceshereinafter set forth.

Referring'to the outer leaf-Aappearing at the left of Figure 1, the samecomprises an upper' casting 23, a lower casting'24, two angle side barsor reinforcing elements 25-25 and a sheet ing one or more integrallyformed reinforcing corrugations .27 therein extended outwardly.

los' .metal closure panel 26, the latter'preferably hav-y Each casting23 and 24 is provided. at that end adjacent the corresponding door post,with a plurality of integrally formedhinge lugs 28--28 to which-visplvotally connected a hinge link 29,-

the latter in turn being pivotally `connected to' hinge butts 30-30 inturn secured to the door post, this link or articulated type of hingebeing employed on account of -the door being of the double leaf type.Each of the castings 23-24 is also formed at its opposite end withintegral .hinge lugs 31--31 to provide pivotal connection with thecorresponding upper and lower castings 37 and ending in a dependingflange 38. Each of 33 thereof and near each end and, in the top wall 34thereof, with a centrally located opening 40, it being observed that theopenings are longitudinally offset from the openings 89 so that a brokenor interrupted passage is formed for air circulating through saidopenings. Each of the upper openings 40, when the doors are in closedposition, are alined with corresponding openings 41 in the web section16 of the lintel and to permit circulation of air to the interior of thecar, the lintel reinforcing plate 19 is also provided with vent openings42. In this manner, as will be evident, notwithstanding that the edgesaround the doors are sealed with gaskets as hereinafter described,circulation of vair between the exterior and interior of the containeris permitted through the upper castings of the doors without danger ofrain or the like being admitted to the interior of the container.

Each of the lower castings 24 and 133 of the door leaves A and B,respectively, are similar to the upper castings, that is, each is formedwith an integral box section having outer wall 43, top wall 44, innerwall and bottom wall 46. The outer wall 43 has a depending flange 47,which functions as a weather seal for the joints along the bottom edgesof the door, as best indicated in Figure 6. Each back Wall 45 isextended upwardly, as indicated at 48, and is then laterally outwardlyoffset, as indicated at 49 and terminates in an upper flange 50. Thebottom castings likewise are provided with ventilating openingsconsisting of holes 51-51 in the outer wall 43 and a plurality ofopenings 52-52 in the inner wall 45, the latter being longitudinallyoffset from the openings 51, asbest indicated in Figure 1, thusproviding broken passages for the air and preventing .admission offoreign matter to the interior of the container. All bottom castingswill be similarly provided with ventilating openings, as will beunderstood.

Referring again to the upper castings, as best each is formed in itsupper wall with a longitudinally extending depressed groove 53, whichserves to collect any moisture that may enter the joint between the topsof the doors and the lintel and such collected moisture will drip downthrough the openings 40A and is then drained off, on the outer sides ofthe ydoors, through drain holes 54-54 formed in the bottom Walls 35 ofthe castings.

Each of-the side braces 25 is preferably a rolled angle and is rivetedat i'ts ends to the upper and lower castings by both of its flanges asby the rivets 55 and 56. To accommodate the inner iiange of each angle,the castings are recessed on their inner faces an amount correspondingto the thickness of the flange, as indicated at 57, and similarly ontheir outer faces, as indicated at 58, so as to provide a flusharrangement between the angles and the castings. As will be understood,the ends of the angle or side elements 25 are overlapped on the castingsa sufficient amount to obtain the necessary attachment. Inthisconnection, it will be observed that, by merely changing the lengths ofthe side angles 25., the same upper and lower castings may be employedfor doors of different height, thus reducing cost of fabrication wheredoors of different size are required.

The sheet metal panel 26, preferably one piece, has its upper edgelapped under the depending flange of the upper casting, as indicated at59 in Figure 6, and has its lower edge lapped on the outer side of thelower casting, as indicated at 60, so as to form shedding joints andprevent collection of moisture and resultant corrosion.

Along the side edges, each sheet metal panel is lapped over and securedto the outer face of the corresponding side angles 25, as by the rivetsReferring to the upper and lower castings on the door leaf C, saidcastings at the free edge of the door leaf are somewhat modified so asto provide flanges 62-62, which are inclined outwardly and backwardly,as best indicatedin Figure 5, and the corresponding edge angle 125 hasits outer flange 126 correspondingly bent and riveted to the castingflanges 62. and lower castings of the door leaf B are correspondinglymodified, as best indicated in Figure 5, each of said castings having anoutwardly extending flange 63 and a terminal ange 64 at right anglesthereto, the flanges 64 being adapted to engage over the edge formationsof the door leaf C and consequently, serving to hold the latter inclosed position when the door leaf B is closed and latched, as will beclear from Figure 5. The corresponding edge angle 225 of the door leaf-B has its flange 226 similarly inclined and riveted to the castings soas to be parallel to the flange 126 of the angle on the door leaf C. y

Each of the upper and lower castings of each of the door leaves B and Cis further provided at the end pivotally connected to its correspondingmain door leaf A, with an integral hook shaped lug 65 extending inwardlyas shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, said hook lugs being adapted to enterthrough corresponding slots 66v and 67 in the door lintel and thresholdplate respecclosed position, the hooks thus engaging behind The upperthe lintel and threshold plate and serving to retain the doors in closedposition, as will be understood.

To latch the doors in closed position, the following arrangement isprovided. Riveted to the door leaf B, the last to close, is a bearingcasting 68 in which is rotatably journaled a plate 69 to which arepivotally connected upper and lower locking bars 'I0-70. For operatingthe bars and plates 69, the platehas pivotally connected there-` to ahasp handle 71 adapted to take over a staple ing therewith except byauthorized holders of the key for the lock.

As best shown in Figure 6, the upper and lower castings on the door leafB are formed with vertically al.ned guide or bearing openings '76 in thetop and bottom walls of each of the box sections for the enlarged ends77 of the locking bars which, when projected upwardly and downwardly totheir maximum extent, enter openings 78 and 79, respectively, in thelintel and sill to hold the doors in closed position, it being thusevident that the castings provide shrouds for the locking bars.V

To seal the several joints between the doors and the door framework,between the two leaves of each door and between the meeting edges of thetwo doors, any suitable yieldable sealing arrangement may be provided,the one shown comprising a special rolled rubber section 80, as bestshown in Figures 4 and 5. Each such rubber strip has a relatively thinflat central portion and enlarged rounded cored edges or beads. Therubber strips will be applied to the respective vertical edges of thedoors as by clamping plates 81 and rivets 82 and also along the innerfaces of the top castings, as indicated at Figure 6. the.

latter sealing strips cooperating with the lintel fiange 17.

From the preceding description` considered in connection with thedrawings, it will be observed that between each opposed verticallyextending surface of two doors and opposed surfaces of a door land fixedpart of the container, a double line of seal is provided by the twobeads extending lengthwise of the opposed surfaces and with aninterven'ng air space between the lines of seal. In this manner, theseal is especially effective since, should any foreign matter be able topass the first line of sealing contact, the-in tervening air space orpocket will serve to destroy the momentum thereof so that passage beyondthe` second line of seal is practically impossible.

As apparent from Figure 1, the top and bottom castings on the main orouter door leaves A-A are of considerably greater vertical extent thanthe castings on the other door leaves B and C, such heavier constructionbeing advisable on account of the greater loads which-have to besustained by the castings onA the door leaves A-A, it being obvious thateach door leaf A is required to susta`n the weight of its correspondlngleaf B or C.

' From the preceding description, it will be seen that, while the doorjoints are substantially hermetically sealed by compressible rubbersealing strips, nevertheless ventilation is provided to elim'nate orminimize sweating without any dahger of injury to the contents of thecontainer from the elements. Further, the use of castings as described,simplifies and reduces the cost of manufacture since all the so-callednecessary fixtures for the doors are incorporated in the castings, thatis, the hinge lugs. the Ventilating openings, the locking flanges forretaining the doors closed, the hook lugs for lock'ng the doors to thedoor framework; and the shrouds for the locking bars. The sheet metalpane's may be sheared and pressed at minimum expense and the assemblingof the same together with the edge reinforcing angles is simplified toan ordinary riveting operation.

The invention in its preferred form as applied to doors of the doubleleaf type has herein been shown and described in detail but it isobvious that many of the broad'features of the invention may be utilizedwith equal effectiveness in single leaf type doors and also that certainfeatures of the invention may be employed in door structures for otherpurposes than transportation containers. Al such changes andmodifications are contemplated that come within the scope of the claimsappended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A door o f the character described comprising: two hollow end memberseach having hinge lugs integrally formed thereon at one end and an ataching flange extending therealong; two reinforcing elements extendingbetween the members and secured at their ends thereto and, with themembers, forming the frame of the door;v and a sheet metal panel securedalong its edges to rsaid flanges of said members and elements.

2. A door leaf for a hinged two leaf door of the character describedcomprising: two end members each having hinge lugs integrally formed ateach of its ends and an attaching flange extending between the end setsof hinge lugs; two reinforcing bars extending between the members andsecured at their ends there o; and a sheet metal closure panel securedalong its edges to said flanges of said members and to the bars.

3. A door of the character described comprising: two end members eachhavinghinge lugs integrally formed at one end thereof and an overhangingprojecting flange at its other end adapted to overlie and relain theedge of an adjacent door; two reinforcing bars extending between themembers and secured at their ends thereto; and a closure sheet metalpanel secured along its edges to said bars and'members, the panel beingunderlapped relative to the upper member and overlapped relative to thelower member.

4. A member for a pivoted doorhaving integrally formed hinge lugs at oneend thereof and a hollow section extending longitudinally thereof, saidhollow section having a vent opening in an outer wall and an additionaloffset vent opening in another Wall thereof.

5. A member for pivoted doors having integrally formed hinge lugs ateach end thereof and an intermediate longitudinally extending hollowsection, said hollow section being provided with relatively offset ventopenings in two of the walls thereof. f

6. A member for pivoted doors-having integrally formed hinge lugs at oneend thereof, an outwardly extending overhanging flange at the other endthereof and an intermediate box section, said lugs extending outwardlybeyond the box section and the latter having an integrally formedat'aching flange extending lengthwise thereof for a panel sheet.

7. A member for a pivoted door having integral hinge lugs at one endthereof projecting outwardly and an integrally formed hook lug on theinner side thereof projecting inwardly at the end adjacent the hingelugs. I

8., A member for a pivoted door having hinge lugs at one end thereof, anoutwardly extended overhanging flange at the other end thereof and ahook lug on the inner side thereof adjacent the hinge lugs, said hingelugs, hook lug and ange being all integrally formed.

9. A member for pivoted doors comprising: hinge lugs at one end thereof,a hook lug on the inner side of the casting adjacent the hinge lugs; anoutwardly ex'ended overhanging flange at the, other end of the member;and an intermediate hollow section formed with relatively offset innerand outer vent openings, all of said lugs, ange and hollow section beingintegrally formed.

10. A unitary member for a pivoted door having: hinge lugs at one endthereof and a longitudinally extending hollow section with top andbottom walls all integrally formed, said top and bottom walls at the endof the member remote from the hinge lugs being provided with aimedopenings providing guidesfor a vertically disposed locking bar.

l1. In a transportation container having a door opening defined in partby a lintel; a pivotally mounted door for said opening, said doorincludinga top casting having a longitudinally extending box sectionandintegrally formed hinge lugs at one end thereof, said box sectionbeing provided with a vent opening in the front thereof and va,relatively offset vent opening in the top wall thereof, said .lintelhaving a corresponding alined vent opening.

12. In a transportation container having a door opening, a pivoted doorfor said opening, said door including a bottom member having alongitudinally extending box section and hinge lugs integrally formed atone end thereof, said box section being provided with vent openings inthe outer and inner walls thereof, the inner wall opening beinghorizontally offset with respect to the outer wall opening to therebyprovide ventilation for the container while preventingpassage of rainthrough the member.

13. A pivoted door for a transportation container or the like having adoor opening, said door being comprised of five units in the form o fupper and lower horizontally extending castings having integral hingelugs at one end thereof, front and rear edge vertically disposed barsextending between and connected to the castings, and a sheet metal panelsecured to the castings and bars, the upper edge' of the panel beinglapped under the upper casting and the lower edgeof the'panel beinglapped over the lower casting.

14. In a transportation container having a door opening, two pivotallymounted doors for closing said opening, each door comprising two leavespivotally connected and each door leaf comprising upper and lowercastings, two edge connecting bars and a sheet metal panel, the castingsof the two main door leaves having hinge lugs integrally formed at eachend thereof; the castings of each of the inner door leaves havingintegrally formed hinge lugs at one end thereof for pivotal connectionto the corresponding main door leaves, the opposite ends of the castingsof the inner door leaves having integral cooperable formations, oneadapted to overlie the other for retaining the doors in closed posi-`thereof for pivotal connection to the correspond- -ing main door leaves,the opposite ends of the castings of the innerdoor leaves havingintegral cooperable formations, one adapted to overlie the other forretaining the doors in closed position, .eachsaid door casting beingprovided also with Ventilating openings.

16. In a transportation container having a door opening defined in partby side posts and lintel, pivoted doors for closing said opening,sealing means between the doors and said door framing members; and meansproviding ventilation between the interior and exterior of thecontainer, said means including alined vent openings in the upper partsof the doors and door lintel.

17. In a transportation container having a door opening defined by asill, side posts and lintel: pivoted doors for closing said opening,each door comprising two leaves pivotally connected; each door leafcomprising upper and lower castings, two connecting bars and a sheetmetal panel; the castings of the main end door leaves having integrallyformed hinge lugs at each end thereof' for pivotal connection to thedoor frame and inner door leaf; the castings on one inner door leafhaving a flanged formation adapted to overlie and retain the castings ofthe adjacent inner door leaf and provided also with vertically alinedguide openings for locking bars; manually operable locking bars on saidinner door leaf; the upper and lower castings of each of the inner doorleaves having integrallyformed hook lugs adapted to enter openings inand engage with the door lintel and sill respectively.

18. A pivoted door including an upper member having integrally formedhinge lugs at one end thereof and a longitudinally extending hollow boxsection, said box section being provided with relatively staggeredairvent openings in two of the walls thereof, the top wall of said boxsection having a longitudinally extending moisture collecting groove andthe bottom wall of said section having drain holes therein.

19. In a transportation container having a door opening and a pivoteddoor therefor wherein the door has a vertically extending surfaceopposedv to another vertical surface when. the door is in closedposition, means providing a weather seal between said opposed surfaces,said means including a rubber strip extending lengthwise of and securedto one of said surfaces, said 12 strip being provided with integrallyformed, outstanding beads along its edges with an intervening relativelythin inset securing section whereby, when the door is closed, two spacedlines of sealing contact are provided along the crests of 30 said beads,and means located between the-beads disposed below the crests thereoffor securing the strip to the door.

20. As anl article of manufacture, a horizontal edge member for a.pivoted door, said member having a main horizontally extending hollowsection providedat each end thereof .with a set of vertically extendingfaces disposed at right angles to each. other, whereby a bar having anangle section may be secured thereto, said hollow main section having alongitudinally extending attachingl flange along one edge thereof and,at one end, being provided with outwardly projecting hinge lugs,said-hollow section, lugs and flange being integrally formed.

CLARENCE 'H. WnLIAMsoN.

